9.5
rating
Ludopedia
8.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Ostia is a strategy game with a super interesting Mancala mechanic that will keep you hooked from start to finish. If you enjoy planning your moves and have a soft spot for Ancient Rome, you can dive right in!
Highlights
- Innovative Mancala mechanic
- Deep and engaging strategy
- Well-applied Roman theme
- High replayability with variable setup
Keep in mind
- Slight initial learning curve
- Can feel a bit slow
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Hey everyone, let's talk about Ostia! This is a strategy game that puts you in charge of a mighty fleet to explore the oceans, engage in trade, and develop the port. Here's the twist: you'll use a Mancala system to power up your personal board and strive for the highest honor! Each turn, you select one of six spaces on your board, which will produce resources based on the number of ships present. Then, you take all those ships and distribute them one by one clockwise. The action you take corresponds to the space where the last ship lands. By repeating this, you can build new ships, upgrade your existing ones to larger vessels, or construct buildings in the harbor. It's a game that flows nicely, with a very engaging core mechanic that makes you think about your best moves. Perfect for those who enjoy strategy with a novel twist and aren't afraid of a good challenge. The Roman setting adds an extra charm for history buffs!
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
REC
3
BEST
4
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
uchibacoya, Crafty Games, Maldito Games, Skellig Games
Designer
Totsuca Chuo
Artist
Rocinante Urabe, Tatsuki Asano
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
What is the average playtime for Ostia?
A game of Ostia typically lasts between 100 and 120 minutes, depending on the player count and familiarity with the rules.
Is Ostia good for solo play?
Yes! Ostia offers a solo mode for 1 player, allowing you to explore the game's strategies at your own pace.
Is the game very complicated to learn?
Ostia has a medium strategic weight (2.89/5 on BGG). The core Mancala mechanic might require a bit of attention at first, but the game flows well after the initial rounds.
How many players does Ostia support?
The game is designed for 1 to 4 players, making it great for solo players and small groups alike.
What kind of components come in the game?
Ostia typically includes a main board, individual player boards, ships, resources, contract cards, and various tokens to track progress and actions.
Who would you recommend Ostia to?
We recommend Ostia to players who enjoy strategy games with unique mechanics (like Mancala and Rondel), appreciate historical themes (especially Ancient Rome), and are looking for a game with good replayability.
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